PM Modi to meet US President Obama in September

HT Correspondent and Agencies,
New Delhi

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Updated: Jul 11, 2014 07:27 IST

US President Barack Obama on Friday extended a formal invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a visit to his country and expressed keenness to work closely with Modi to make the bilateral relations a "defining partnership" in the 21st century.

Obama's invitation was handed over to Modi by US deputy secretary of state William Burns when he called on Modi on Friday.

"Prime Minister thanked President Obama for the invitation and looked forward to a result-oriented visit with concrete outcomes that imparts new momentum and energy to India-US strategic partnership," a statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.

Since Modi's spectacular win in the 2014 general elections, the US has tried — through tweets, statements and a phone call from Obama to the PM-designate — to expunge its anti-Modi record.

Modi, then chief minister of Gujarat, was denied a diplomatic official visa in 2005 over his alleged failure to stop the 2002 riots. The US had also cancelled his tourist visa.

Stung, the chief minister never applied for a US visa again.

The PMO statement said the PM was of the view that re-energising the partnership between India and the US would send an important message to the region and beyond.

"The relationship between the world's oldest and largest democracies should not only be for the benefit of the two countries, but should emerge as a powerful force of good for peace, stability and prosperity in the world."

Burns conveyed Obama's desire to strengthen bilateral in all fields and work more broadly for security and prosperity in Asia.

Modi will also attend the United Nation General Assembly session in the US.

National security adviser Ajit Doval, foreign secretary Sujatha Singh, the US charge d' affaires Kathleen Stephens, and the assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs Nisha Biswal were also present at the meeting.